WisDOT announces 2015 Excellence in Construction Awards

As part of the annual Contractor-Engineer Conference held January 28 in Madison, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced Excellence in Construction Awards for 2015. Top winners include a grading project in St. Croix County, asphalt paving project in Sauk County, concrete paving project in Milwaukee County, small bridge project in Lafayette County, and a large bridge project in Brown County. The Major Project Category recognized the Verona Road project in Dane County, work along the Zoo Interchange in Milwaukee County, and I-41 in Brown County.

“These annual awards are an opportunity to recognize some of the many top-notch construction firms that help us complete vitally important transportation improvement projects across the state,” said Beth Cannestra, director of WisDOT’s Bureau of Project Development. “Our private sector partners deserve praise for the quality of their work and for their willingness to embrace innovations that save time and money.”

The Excellence in Grading Award went to H. James and Sons of Fennimore for work on the WIS 64 project in St. Croix County. The $12.8 million project—part of the larger St. Croix River Crossing project—included construction of WIS 64, WIS 35/County E, several roundabouts and a multi-use trail. The grading work was complicated by various soil types that required specialized equipment and techniques including extensive use of Automated Machine (GPS) Guidance.

The Excellence in Asphalt Paving Award went to D.L. Gasser Construction of Baraboo for work on a 12-mile section of County H between Reedsburg and Wisconsin Dells in Sauk County. The $4.1 million project, administered through WisDOT’s Local Roads Program, was completed ahead of time and under budget. The innovative work involved Cold-in-place Recycling (CIR) of the existing pavement, topped with a warm-mix asphalt overlay. WisDOT is piloting the CIR paving process on several projects as a way to encourage further use of recycled pavements while minimizing costs and traveler inconvenience.

The Excellence in Concrete Paving Award went to Zignego Company Inc. of Waukesha for a $10.8 million project that reconstructed a 1.6-mile segment of Ryan Road (WIS 100) between 27th Street and WIS 38 in the Milwaukee County community of Oak Creek. The work involved reconstruction and expansion of the heavily-traveled six-lane urban roadway with six signalized intersections. Although the corridor accommodates nearly 29,000 vehicles on an average day, the work was completed under traffic, on schedule and under budget with minimal public disruption.

The Excellence in Small Structures Award went to Radtke Contractors Inc. of Winneconne for construction of a “soldier pile” retaining wall along WIS 81 in the Lafayette County community of Darlington. The $1.6 million project replaced a deteriorating block retaining wall with the cast-in-place soldier pile structure that features architectural surface treatments, decorative railing and concrete staining.

The Excellence in Large Structures Award went to Lunda Construction Company of Black River Falls for replacement of the WIS 96 Fox River Bridge in the village of Wrightstown in Brown County. The $18.8 million project included construction of roundabouts on both bridge approaches. The new bridge features eight-foot bike lanes, six-foot sidewalks, pedestrian lookouts, decorative lighting and railings.

A Major Project “Structure” Award recognized Lunda Construction Company for work on the $28 million Verona Road (US 18) project between Raymond Road and the Madison Beltline. The project features a Straddle Bent Steel Structure—among the first in Wisconsin—in which two bridges share a common center pier. The work was staged to maintain traffic flow averaging 65,000 vehicles daily.

Another Major Project “Structure” Award recognized Lunda Construction for work on the $61.9 million I-41 and I-43 interchange. Part of the I-41 Corridor Expansion Project in Brown County, the complex project included use of 23 miles of piling, 40,000 cubic yards of concrete, and about 30 million pounds of steel.

The Major Project “Grading” Award went to James Peterson and Sons, Inc. of Medford, WI for work on the $68.2 million Watertown Plank Road Interchange in Wauwatosa—part of the Zoo Interchange project in Milwaukee County. The work involved construction of a full service interchange with eight bridge structures along with a pedestrian bridge linking the Milwaukee Regional Medical Complex and the Ronald McDonald House.

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.